Kathmandu: Chief Commissioner of the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), Prem Kumar Rai, highlighted the increasing trend of corruption involving the transfer of illegally acquired funds abroad during a meeting of the Committee on Strengthening of the Federalism and National Concerns under the National Assembly on Wednesday. He emphasized that the money illicitly earned in Nepal is being sent overseas, pointing out that corruption has become an international issue with deep-rooted connections in foreign countries.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Chief Rai expressed concerns over the challenges faced by the CIAA in recovering funds sent abroad to countries like the UAE and Singapore due to the absence of bilateral agreements. He noted that although Singapore had promised to return such funds, the lack of a formal agreement has hindered the process. A similar attempt to investigate gold smuggling in Hong Kong also faced setbacks for the same reason.
Chief Commissioner Rai further disclosed difficulties in conducting investigations into high-profile cases such as the wide-body aircraft purchase scam involving Nepal Airlines Corporation, citing a lack of cooperation from the United States. During the meeting, lawmakers accused the CIAA of political bias and failing to hold corrupt individuals accountable. Rai rebutted these claims, asserting that the CIAA operates independently and without external pressure.
He addressed allegations of leniency towards high-profile corrupt officials, stating that the commission acts on evidence and that employees implicated in corruption admit their wrongdoing independently. Rai also noted that over 29,000 complaints have been filed with the CIAA in the current fiscal year, but acknowledged that the number would decrease significantly if anonymous complaints were no longer accepted.